Juventus new manager, Andrea Pirlo revealed striker Gonzalo Higuain will leave the club in his first news conference after replacing Maurizio Sarri.
Former Juventus midfielder, Pirlo held his first news conference since he took over the Turin’s side managerial roles for the first time in his senior job.
During the conference, he said, Paulo Dybala will remain besides being linked to other clubs. Pirlo plans on keeping the number 10 and star frontman Cristiano Ronaldo.
The coach said, “Dybala has never been on the market. For me, he is an important player. As soon as he returns, he will be part of the project”.
“We have already chatted with Ronaldo and we will have time to talk about tactics and roles”.
However, the Argentine forward, Gonzalo Higuain will go.
“He was a great champion, a great player but the cycle is over”. Said Pirlo.
“We looked at each other in the eyes, talked, and made this decision. I admire him a lot. But we have decided that the paths will separate”.
Juventus made Higuain the third most expensive transfer ever when they paid £75m to sign him from Napoli back in 2016.
The 32-year-old scored 66 goals in 149 games but never quite lived up to expectations.
“I’m in the right place at the right time”.
The 41-year-old Pirlo won four Serie A titles as a player with Juventus and was named as their under-23 coach at the end of July.
A week later, he was their senior manager after the club dismissed Sarri, who left despite winning the Serie A title in his first season in charge.
“I didn’t have time to think”. Said Pirlo.
“It was all very fast. I threw myself into it but if I made this choice it is because I am convinced that I am in the right place at the right time”.
He says he will be flexible with tactics but the important thing is that the team plays “with joy”.
“To bring enthusiasm you have to work, talk to the players, make them participate, and make them understand our new way of playing”.
“I want to bring back the DNA of work and sacrifice”. Concluded the coach.